CAR TALK

FORD’S YOUNG-DRIVER PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY
Ford has introduced technology which helps parents to prevent young drivers from receiving calls while driving. The feature, which is part of Ford’s MyKey technology, is called “Do Not Disturb” and blocks incoming phone calls or text messages from a Bluetooth-paired mobile phone. Calls are diverted to voicemail and text messages saved for later viewing instead.

MAZDA’S VERY CLEVER CONCEPT
This is the Takeri concept car, a preview of <a href="http://www.mazda.co.uk/&quot; target="_blank">Mazda</a>’s new 6 which will be shown at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show at the end of November. The new mid-sized saloon will feature a regenerative braking system which converts kinetic energy to electricity during deceleration, then uses it to power the car’s electrical equipment saving fuel. Clever stuff.

A SPOT OF VW EMOTION
Volkswagen's prototype electric Golf blue-e-motion is competing in the second RAC Future Car Challenge on Saturday. The challenge measures the energy used by participant vehicles between Brighton and London’s Pall Mall. The 113bhp EV has a 0-62mph time of 11.8 seconds and looks like a regular Golf, minus exhaust pipes. Production models are planned for 2013.